Lighting up the night

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The annual Festival of Lights Parade in Downtown Los Altos got us all geeked up (and chic’ed up) for holiday decorating, and that got us thinking: When do you flip the switch on your home displays?

CHIC (Pearl)

I love the holidays, and I’m pretty traditional when it comes to timing. Before the day after Thanksgiving became known as “Black Friday,” it was better known as the day to shake off your turkey coma and drag the holiday decorations out of the garage for an afternoon of untangling lights and counting wise men. And that’s more fun to me than shopping at a crowded mall and fighting over parking spots.

GEEK (Kevin)

My philosophy with holiday decorations is go big or — don’t go. If you’re putting up one light strand, you may as well use 20 to make an adequate impression on your neighbors and help your ‘hood feel more festive. As you may have guessed, big displays are my thing, and I save time by starting wicked early. In fact, I keep some outdoor decorations up (unlit) year round to save time on the inevitable setup.

Home office upgrade

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COVID-19 fundamentally changed the way we look at office space, and many of us have found happiness working from home. We’ve got some tips to make your home office more inviting!

CHIC (Pearl)

Now that it’s been a few years, you should probably think about upscaling that temporary office you converted out of a spare bedroom. A fresh coat of paint can help set the tone and create a more productive vibe. I’d also suggest retiring that folding table to the garage and finding a proper desk with actual drawers to store your pens, papers — and midday snacks!

GEEK (Kevin)

Don’t stop at the walls. Remember, flooring is the foundation to every room. If you’re still rocking shag carpet in your home office, consider an upgrade to fabricated wood, vinyl, or laminate. A good contractor can make the swap in one day’s work, so there’s no need to fear a protracted process. And the final result will make your home office feel more professional.

Trick or Treat? Chic or Geek?

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73% of Americans plan to celebrate Halloween today, and we all do it a little differently (see more in Number Talk). How do you make the most of this boo-tiful day?

CHIC (Pearl)

I love dressing up, and it’s always fun to see even the most “normal” neighbors embrace their creativity with costumes from kids shows to comic books. I may be too old for tricks, and I’ve learned to moderate my sweet tooth, but our house will still be the place to go for the best treats – including full-size candy bars and caramel apples – as long as you come dressed for success!

GEEK (Kevin)

You might’ve guessed my favorite part of Halloween is the decorations. If kids want a treat from the Chic’s candy bowl, they’ll have to get past the tricks in the Geek’s haunted front yard. I’m pulling all the skeletons out of the closet for the first time in years, and I’ve invested in cutting edge spooky tech to take things up a notch! Think you can make it to our front door? Good luck.